Winter weather conditions are here and that means we need to be using our head and paying better attention when we’re out and about on the roads. Whether you are navigating through snow, rain, or icy conditions, it’s very important to take driving seriously. This week we want to focus on those icy roads and how to correct a slide, in the event that it happens when you’re behind the wheel. So, let’s get started!

The first step is knowing that if you are sliding or fishtailing at all, you are driving too fast for the conditions and you need to slow down. In addition to that, you need to avoid sudden braking, acceleration, or turning. If you follow these few golden roads when it comes to icy roads, you won’t have to worry about sliding or correcting a slide. While most slides or fishtails occur over 45 MPH, it takes precise and immediate steering to correct and is often times beyond the ability of the average driver.

1. Don’t use your brakes – we know that this might be your first instinct when your vehicle begins to slide but actually, it’s the last thing. Braking will only trigger sliding. And for slide correction to work, your wheels need to be turning freely.
2. Turn into the slide – turn your front wheels in the same direction that the rear of your vehicle is sliding. As your vehicle begins to straighten out, straighten your wheel. We recommend keeping your eyes focused on where you want your vehicle to go. Keep in mind the amount you turn your wheel must be proportionate with how far and fast the back of your vehicle is sliding. A small slide will only require a small steering motion.
3. Don’t panic, keep calm – again, another first reaction but you need to stay calm the moment your vehicle begins to slide. Oversteering your vehicle gives the car angular momentum, which means it will want to keep rotating into a complete spin. Overcorrecting a slide can send your car rotating faster than steering can counter, meaning your vehicle will spin out!  

Pro-tip! Often times, correcting a slide is so difficult due to your vehicle beginning to respond to you turning the wheel and it will often snap back toward the other direction. While you’re in the process of correcting the slide, be prepared for your vehicle to swing in the opposite position. This oscillation may happen several times which means you will have to react accordingly.